URI Theatre to present One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Media Contact: Jan Wenzel, 401-874-2116

KINGSTON, R.I. -- January 20, 2004 -- Ken Kesey’s grim satire, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, published in 1962, takes place in a mental institution and tells the story of a con man named McMurphy who wants to be institutionalized to escape the rigors of working on a prison farm. When McMurphy challenges the head nurse, a dictatorial Nurse Ratched, life in the ward is irrevocably altered. McMurphy becomes a hero, changing the lives of the inmates, but pays dearly for his individualism. Considered a masterpiece, the book is a story of control versus freedom, hope versus despair, and friendship versus isolation. It was widely read by college students just as they were challenging authority and conformity. The movie version of the novel starred Jack Nicholson as McMurphy and won the 1975 Academy Award for "Best Picture."

Dale Wasserman’s adaptation of Kesey’s novel received the 2001 Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Revival. Cuckoo’s Nest is captivating, funny, touching and exciting. It has been described as one of the finest, most meaningful and most moving plays of recent times by WPIX-TV.

URI Theatre’s production of the play is directed by Alan Hawkridge; set design by William Wieters; lighting design by Christian Wittwer and costumes designed by Elizabeth Gotauco, a senior theatre major.

The production will be performed in J Studio at the Fine Arts Center Feb. 19 to 21 and 25 to 28 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 general, $10 students, seniors, children.